April 15, 2020

SUPPORT LOCAL BIZ

Which restaurants are open for take out & delivery Page 13

BRONX VOICE How Bronxites can help each HEARTother thru Coronavirus BREAK

FREE

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

4th Year, No. 1

Page 6

Page 16

Photo by David Greene

Monte Offers Ray of Hope

Experimental Therapy Might Help People with Serious COVID-19 Page 18 Complications

Photo by Daniel Valls

April 15 - 21, 2020

Heater eyed as cause in blaze that killed 4

2• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Detoxing patients miss talking to dummy after Coronavirus

By David Greene On February 25 B.C., err, four days (Before Coronavirus) when the first case was discovered in Manhattan, I took an unusual photo of a man in his car, sitting next to a life size dummy outside of the Part Of The Solution (POTS) soup kitchen on Webster Avenue on the Norwood / Bedford Park border.

Lighthearted healthcare driver Lee Melendez quickly introduced me to "Steve" and explained it was not a way for him to

illegally drive in the HOV lane.

The Mott Haven resident explained he specialized in patients in detox and rehabilitation programs, ferrying them to medical appointments and soup kitchens. He stated at the time, "If you know anybody that needs detox, they call me and I pick them up.

That's what I do for a living.”

Asked about the reason for the dummy, Melendez replied, "Prevention of a client wanting to sit with me" in the front seat.

Melendez continued, "You should have seen this one time a client got in the back and he had a conversation with him all the way over there," and only after chatting up the dummy, did the man realize.

"So when we got over there," Melendez recalled, "The guy says, 'He's kind of quiCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Get Even More News Online: bronxvoiceny. blogspot.com

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 3

Out of Work?

4• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

How to navigate unemployment benefits in the Coronavirus Crisis

By Allison Dikanovic, Lauren Costantino and Danny Laplaza Additional Reporting By Josefa Velasquez More than 16 million Americans have suddenly found themselves unemployed, thanks to the upheaval wrought by the coronavirus outbreak.

In the last week of March alone, the New York State Department of Labor received 8.2 mil-

lion calls — a 16,000% increase compared to its typical week. The department’s online portal drew 3.4 million visits, an 870% increase, crashing the system.

“This volume is something that we’ve never experienced before, and it’s frustrating. It’s horrible,” said Melissa DeRosa, secretary to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

But there is some hope-

fully good news for New Yorkers who have spent hours trying to get through clogged phone lines: You no longer need to call the State Department of Labor to complete your claim.

A representative will call you, according to DeRosa.

The state rebooted its unemployment system overnight last Thursday and released a “streamlined” online application Friday morning. Now representatives will call people directly if there are complications.

With an eye on the changes, here are answers to some of the readers’ most frequently asked questions about navigating unemployment during the coronavirus crisis: HAVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXPANDED BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS? Yes. If you lost your job or were furloughed for reasons related to the pandemic, you’re now eligible to collect weekly unemployment payments.

Federal law now allows you to receive benefits if: * Your place of employment is temporarily closed due to the outbreak. * You are quarantining with the expectation of returning to work. * You left your job due to the risk of exposure or infection. * You had to stop working to take care of a family member with coronavirus.

If you are still employed, but have lost wages due to the coronavirus, you do not need to — and should not — quit your job to receive coronavirus-related benefits.

If I’ve lost my job, what do I get from the federal stimulus package?

Whether you’re newly unemployed or have been for some time, the recently signed CARES Act will provide you with an additional $600 per week, on top of regular weekly payments, until July 31.

You’ll be able to receive payments for 13 weeks longer than what is usually covered (39, instead of the usual 26 weeks for New York).

On April 8, Cuomo announced that New York will begin distributing those funds immediately.

“The federal government says they will reimburse us for it but people need the money now in their pocket,” he said.

You can begin receiving these $600 payments after getting through the system to file your claim for unemployment benefits.

Under CARES, the federal government will also provide a one-time payment of $1,200 to individuals who earned less than $75,000 in 2019, plus $500 for each child under 17. Folks with higher income will receive less, and those who made $99,000 or more will receive nothing. Vist the IRS website for more information.

What if I’m a gig worker or a freelancer?

Workers who are usually excluded from collecting unemployment insurance — including the self-employed and independent contractors — are now eligible to receive CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 5

6• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Heater eyed as cause in blaze that killed 4

By David Greene Four woman, next door neighbors in top floor apartments-died together in two separate apartments after the fast moving blaze tore through several apartments of a 6-story building.

Firefighters were called to 1560 Grand Concourse, at East Mt. Eden Avenue, at just before 7:30 p.m. on March 31.

Video uploaded to Citizen's App show residents had sought refuge on the building's roof as flames shot up the side of the building. Minutes later firefighters would lead them all to safety.

One uploaded video shows a firefighter in a tower ladder attempting to break windows to vent the fire apartment, so firefighters could make entry through

BRONX VOICE GLM:

Guess Line Media LLC

177 Main Street Suite 449 New Rochelle, NY 10801 (646) 671-0602

Website

www.bronxvoiceny. www.bronxvoice.com blogspot.com

Publisher/ Publisher/ Editor Editor in in Chief Chief

Daniel Daniel Gesslein Gesslein

Associate Editor-News David Greene

Culinary Editor Morris Gut

Photo by Daniel Valls

A firefighter entered the apartment from a tower ladder as the blaze continued to burn.

the door. Then a fireball shoots out of the window and the red and yellow flame seems to swallow the firefighter for several harrowing seconds.

On another video, one apparent female resident of the building is overheard, saying, "People were screaming at us

in the building, because they could see the fire burning and that's how we knew to get out.”

A male bystander is then heard saying that he thought the fire was contained to the one side of the building, when the resident of the building added, "Yeah, but I see smoke over

there too and there's no telling how far it spreads, because above the ceiling there's always a crawl space and fire can spread up there.”

The same woman also reported that one victim was removed by firemen who carried the victim down the fire esCONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Promote your biz in print and online

1 low price. Email us today: bxadsvoice@gmail.com

For Display Advertising bxadsvoice@ gmail.com

Got a Tip

voicebronx@gmail.com

To To Submit Submit an an Event, Event, All All other other Editorial Editorial matters matters voicebronx@ voicebronx@ gmail.com gmail.com Bronx Voice is not responsible Bronx Voicemade is not responsible for claims by advertisers

Member

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 7

8• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

Guest Editorial

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Communities need their newspapers, newspapers need their community

By Judy Patrick Vice president for editorial development New York Press Association From afar, the COVID-19 pandemic is generating news of such terrifying magnitude that it is nearly too overwhelming to comprehend. Millions are suffering and thousands are dying. Economies are collapsing. The world seems out of control.

That’s the big picture, which you can learn about from innumerable print, web and broadcast news outlets.

But it’s in the pages of local newspapers that this terrible news hits home.

Through stories of sickness and of death, of brave healthcare workers and struggling small business owners, local journalists are documenting their communities.

In hard-hit New York City, dozens of local newspapers are chronicling the challenges neighborhood by neighborhood. As the virus spreads beyond metropolitan New York, the chronicling extends, paper by paper.

In each, above all are the

stories of the lives that have been lost, touching tributes to much loved grandfathers and grandmothers, principals and store clerks, police officers and nurses.

Next come the stories of isolation and loss as the life of a community is put on hold: Funerals, weddings, Little League baseball, high school proms, senior citizen trips and college graduations. The list goes on and on.

Finally are the tales of generosity and hope, of thousands of rainbows hung in windows and drawn in chalk on sidewalks, of food

drives for the afflicted, of music and art and of the million small kindnesses of one person to another.

Years from now, these stories will be part of the historical record of this pandemic. Right now, however, they serve a far greater purpose: They are helping communities come together to mourn, to support and to hope. To eventually go forward and heal, we first need to understand what is happening to the people we know and the businesses we rely on.

Local newspapers are also where many stories

begin. Here you’ll learn about upstate dairy farmers forced to dump milk, how Finger Lakes wineries are adapting to the shutdown, the slow startup to the federal small business stimulus program on the East End of Long Island, the re-tooling of a Granville slate company to make face shields for healthcare workers and efforts to safeguard our food supply chain by protecting farmland.

These are the stories that set local newspapers apart from anything you’ll see and read via bigger out CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 9

FreshDirect delivers food to those affected

by Covid-19 10• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

FreshDirect, in partnership with all five of New York City’s Borough Presidents, Ruben Diaz Jr. from the Bronx, Gale Brewer from Manhattan, Eric Adams from Brooklyn, James Oddo from Staten Island and Sharon Lee from Queens, announced the launch of “Operation 5-Borough Food Drive”, a citywide food initiative to assist New York families in need. The program will consist of weekly (Monday through Friday) deliveries of thousands of grocery boxes.

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

“As a food company during these trying times we consider it our duty to do everything in our power to help those who don’t have access to fresh, healthy meals every day,” said David McInerney, CEO, FreshDirect. “Our incredible team of food preparation and delivery personnel has stepped up in an extraordinary way, taking on this crucial mission to support our community and our city.”

“I want to thank FreshDirect for being a lifeline to so many in this critical moment,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “As the world comes together to fight the spread of COVID-19, FreshDirect is really stepping up to the plate, supporting our trusted partners in

providing vital services to our most vulnerable communities in their time of most need.”

The packages will arrive by FreshDirect vehicles to locations designated by each of the Borough Presidents and their offices. There will be two drop off locations; one location will receive deliveries Monday and Tuesday, the second, Wednesday-Friday.

Each box, which is being provided free of charge by FreshDirect, will contain the following: * Rice, 2 bags, 16oz *Pasta, 2 boxes, 16oz *Canned beans, 2 cans, 10-16oz *Canned Meat/Fish, 2 cans, 3 to 5 oz *Canned Vegetable, 2 cans, 8 to 15 oz CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

FreshDirect delivers

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

*Raisins / Dry Fruit, 4

boxes, 2 oz per box *Cereal/Oatmeal, 1 Box, 10 to 20 oz *Milk / Milk Substitute, 1 container, 32 oz *Corn, 2 ears *2 Potatoes *1 Onion *1 Carrot *Orange / Apple, 2 in total In addition, Nestle Waters is donating 80,000 gallons of water and Boar’s Head will be donating 25,000 Pepperoni Pouches to the grocery boxes.

All community outreach will be managed by the offices of the respective Borough President or by the partnering organizations in consultation with FreshDirect Public Affairs.

Most of the items in the box are shelf stable and will provide some relief to families who lack immediate access to food.

The PitCCh In Foundation, founded by CC and Amber Sabathia, is also a partner and will be distributing boxes to the local Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx. In addition, Bronx Assembly Members Marcos Crespo and Michael Blake also provided local sites.

“This partnership is an example of the positive impact corporate responsibility can have during a major public health crisis so that we can help those most vulnerable,” added Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

"In times of great need like the one we're currently facing, finding creative ways to forge public-private partnerships that advance a common goal is of paramount importance.

Corporate citizenship is one way we can confront this unprecedented public health crisis. I'm proud

to support this effort to distribute meals to people throughout the city,” stated Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

"We have seen so many community members and organizations step up during this difficult time. This influx of food

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 11

will surely help so many on Staten Island. Thank you to FreshDirect and to our partners, Catholic Charities and Community Health Action, for making sure this food gets to those who need it most," said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo.

"Queens is grateful to our community partners for stepping up and swiftly helping to ensure the most vulnerable families are prepared in the coming weeks to weather the COVID-19 pandemic," said Queens Borough President Sharon Lee. "Social distancing does

not mean familial isola-

tion. We can make a bigger impact against the curve if we act together and act now.”

For more information, visit www.freshdirect. com or www.foodkick. com.

Heater eyed as cause in blaze that killed 4

12• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

-scape.

On another video a second resident recalled, "I first noticed it when I was coming from Angelo's getting my food.

And it was mad smokey and the fire just started to burst out" the windows.

The fire quickly spread to threealarms and utilized

over 140 firefighter's. Members managed to bring the fire under control within 90 minutes.

EMS reported that five victims were transported across the street to the former Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, now called Bronxcare Health System Hospital.

Four of the victims

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

died from their injuries and the fifth victim is recovering from minor injuries.

Bronx Councilman Ritchie Torres, who is home recovering from the Coronavirus, Tweeted, "Please keep their families in your prayers.”

Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.,

also Tweeted, "My heart goes out to the families and I'll be praying for them to find peace through this tragedy.”

Officials have not released the names of the victims, but two victims were believed to be mother and daughter and the older victim was

Paramedics give aid to one of four victims who died in the blaze.

reported to be a retired nurse, who had worked at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital for years.

The FDNY has stated that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but a portable heater mentioned in one published report, was noted as a possible cause.

Photo by Daniel Valls

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Take Out & Delivery

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 13

Find out more dining options and help for restaurants Page 22

14• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

Health Matters

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Surgeon who separated conjoined twins dies from Covid-19

By Dan Gesslein The surgeon who separated conjoined twins and gained worldwide attention for the Bronx hospital has died due to complications from the coronavirus. Officials at Montefiore medical center said they were devastated to learn that Dr. James T. Goodrich has passed away.

Jadon and Anias McDonald were fused at the brain and skull until Dr. Goodrich and his team separated them in 2016.

Goodrich gained international attention in 2016, when he led a team that separated Jadon and Anias McDonald. The twins were fused at the brain and skull.

The 40-doctor team conducted a 27-hour procedure at Montefiore Children’s Hospital to separate the young boys.

The pediatric neurosurgeon was considered the expert on this life-saving procedure.

He was consulted regularly on hundreds of cases and he traveled the world to share his knowledge with his international colleagues.

“Dr. Goodrich was

a beacon of our institution and he will be truly missed," said Montefiore Medicine CEO, Dr. Philip O. Ozuah. "His expertise and ability were second only to his kind heart and manner. Dr. Goodrich was admired by his Montefiore Einstein colleagues and adored by his patients and Montefiore Einstein will not be the same without his presence.”

After serving as a Marine in Vietnam, the Oregon native decided to pursue a medical career. He served more than 30 years at Montefiore Einstein and was the Director CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 15

Surgeon who separated conjoined twins dies from Covid-19 CONTINUED FROM PAGE14

of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Montefiore and Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery, Pediatrics, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Colleagues remember him for not only how generously he shared his time and knowledge with young doctors but his big heart. Officials say during the holidays

he would bake cookies and hand them out to the nurses at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.

“Jim was in many ways the heart and soul of our department - a master surgeon, a world-class educator, and a beloved colleague for all,” said Emad Eskandar, MD, MBA, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and

Montefiore Medical Center. “His sudden loss is heart-breaking and his memory will always remain foremost in our thoughts. Our sympathy and prayers go to his wife Judy, and all those who were close to him.”

Dr. Goodrich passed away on March 30, 2020 from complications associated with COVID19. He is survived by his wife and three sisters.

Dr. James T. Goodrich

16• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

How Bronxites can help each other through Coronavirus

By Veronica Noel As a Bronx native, I know how challenging the coronavirus outbreak has been for our tightknit borough.

Born and raised in Allerton, my entire family lived within a threeblock radius where we knew all our neighbors and leaned on the community during other uncertain times. When I look around my Pelham Bay neighborhood today, it is practically unrecognizable with residents wearing gloves and masks, standing six feet apart from one another, which feels especially odd for our

friendly community. In situations where I would ordinarily stop and chat with a neighbor, I now wave from across the street.

Like many people, I work close to my neighborhood—as a regional manager for EmblemHealth’s Neighborhood Care center in Harlem.

EmblemHealth is one of the largest nonprofit health insurers in the country, and our Neighborhood

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Care centers provide an assortment of health care-related resources for members. At Neighborhood Care, members can find an in-person connection through a variety of free classes including yoga and art therapy, along with access to local community resources.

While Neighborhood Care centers have temporarily closed our physical doors due to coronavirus, I continue to keep in touch with members I’ve gotten to know over the years.

As we comply with social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, I’ve had members reach out with concerns about losing their in-person connectivity they have come to rely on from our centers. From managing anxiety to food insecurity or even stress from the potential exposure to coronavirus, these concerns, and many others, are valid and I want to provide some helpful suggestions to cope.

In my 15 years at EmblemHealth, one of the most beneficial things I’ve learned we can do during stressful times is maintain relationships with those closest to us. To lower anxiety, I suggest finding time to schedule group Face-

Time or Skype calls to connect with friends and family and celebrate milestone events like birthdays and anniversaries. To reduce stress, you can take a break from watching the news and instead turn on a TV show or movie that makes you feel good. For Neighborhood Care members that miss the routine of visiting a regular exercise class, you can search YouTube for helpful—and free—exercise videos. For other needs, from finding a doctor who offers virtual visits to locating a food pantry in your neighborhood, you can also contact our teams at Neighborhood Care.

And it’s always a privilege to be surrounded by amazing nurses, doctors and other health care workers in our neighborhood— who can band together to support our community during this time.

Thankfully, BronxDocs, an affiliate of the EmblemHealth family of companies, is close by. BronxDocs has served members of the Bronx community for years and has three locations.

It’s also important to remember many Bronx residents could use extra communi-

ty support during this time, including seniors, individuals with chronic health issues, and health care workers. Creative ways to offer your support include leaving a care package outside of a neighbor’s door or putting up a poster with a message of hope or gratitude in your window. A small act of kindness can unexpectedly brighten a person's day when they need it most.

It is not an easy time for any of us, but we can always look out for each other and share updates and resources when available. By supporting each other as members of the Bronx community, we will be that much closer to returning to normalcy—and perhaps less anxious and more compassionate individuals.

To learn more about EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care and to speak to our team, visit emblemhealth.com/neighborhood. If you’re seeking a doctor you can call BronxDocs at 646680-5200, a local provider with three locations in the Bronx. For COVID-19 related information, visit us at https:// www.emblemhealth. com/live-well/covid19 .

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 17

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Who should test and where to test in the Bronx for COVID-19

By David Greene Despite an unprecedented ad campaign and non-stop news coverage of this global pandemic known as the coronavirus, some Bronxites are still finding it difficult to get registered for a COVID-19 test, locate a testing site-- or even getting someone on the phone in the face of this enormous public health threat.

Wakefield carpenter Bruce Bennett, 56, claimed he had been calling the health department and 311 so long, he believes his infection has already gone away.

In a telephone interview conducted on April 8, Bennett explained, "I've been calling for about two or three weeks now. I called 311, I left my number. They have it, they even called me back.”

Like many Americans, Bennett thinks he has had the virus and would like to test so he can go back to work. Bennett says in frustration, "Unless your on death's bed, they don't want to test you.”

"I had it, I'm feeling better now," Bennett continues, "Since last Monday, over seven days since I've had symptoms." Bennett noted fever, muscle aches and headaches as his reasons for believing he had the coronavirus.

Bennett is a candidate

for testing as he also recalled, "A co-worker I had worked with a week before had tested positive... no, he's still around. I think, I haven't talked to him in a week.”

The New York City Health Department now lists the COVID-19 symptoms as: A fever of 100.4 degrees or greater, cough, shortness of breath & difficulty breathing as well as a sore throat. Some patients have also reported a loss of taste and / or smell, body aches, headaches and diarrhea.

Priority of testing goes to the severely ill, elderly, first responders and health care workers as well as those with pre-existing conditions, recently returned travelers from a country the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Health Notice or if someone you have come in contact with has tested positive for the virus. Testing is free to all eligible New Yorkers and Bronxites wanting to arrange an appointment for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or 311.

At risk New Yorkers including the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions or those with symptoms can also call 1-844-NYC-4NYC for a healthcare professional can asses the risk of a

Photo by David Greene

New York State Police officers guard the entrance to the Herbert H. Lehman College parking lot, once used to teach students to learn how to ride a motorcycle and now testing Bronxites for the coronavirus.

particular individual.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, which runs 11 major hospitals and has 42,000 employees across the five boroughs, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Army National Guard, the New York State Police and Montefiore Hospital, have currently set-up at least 9 testing sites in the Bronx including: * Jacobi Hospital, 1400 Pelham Parkway South: Drive thru and walk-in testing available by appointment only. * The parking lot of Herbert H. Lehman College, Paul Avenue, between West 205 Street and West Bedford Park Boulevard: Drive thru testing conducted Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., by appointment only.

* Bay Plaza AMC Theater parking lot, 2210 Bartow Avenue: Drive thru testing only, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. by appointment only. * Lincoln Hospital, 234 East 149 Street: Walk-in testing by appointment only, call 1-844-692-4692 for more information. * BronxCare, formerly Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, 1650 Grand Concourse: Walk-in testing by appointment only.

Call 1-844-692-4692 for more information.

North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Avenue: Walk-in testing by appointment only.

Call 1-844-692-4692 for additional information.

Montefiore Hospital has several locations within their system.

Call 1-844-692-4692 for more information.

Testing will also be

done at the Gotham Health, Morrisania at 1225 Gerard Avenue and Belvis Health at 545 East 142 Street, and all testing done by appointment only.

The parking lot at the Bronx Zoo had been a mobilization point for several hundred ambulances from several different states. The paramedics have hit the road and a testing site was expected to open in the coming days. A large section of Van Cortlandt Park has also been sectioned off with metal barriers and a testing site is expected to be erected in the coming days.

Those looking to visit Jacobi Hospital, Lincoln Hospital, BronxCare, North Central Bronx Hospital or various sites in the Montefiore Hospital system can also call (844) 692-4692.

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Monte offers ray of hope for Corona patients 18• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine has joined a clinical trial to evaluate the experimental drug remdesivir to treat people who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infection.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring the trial. This treatment has the potential to help people who have serious lung complications as a result of COVID-19. Recruitment for the trial began in March is still underway.

Montefiore-Einstein is one of 46 testing sites nationwide and is the first site in New York State to open.

NIAID launched the multi-center international effort to determine if remdesivir, a broad-spectrum anti-

viral drug, acts against COVID-19 viral infection. Remdesivir has shown promise in animal models of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), both caused by human coronaviruses.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is being led by principal investigator Barry Zingman, M.D., professor of medicine at Einstein and clinical director, infectious diseases, in the Moses division of Montefiore Health System. The trial is “adapCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 19

Arthur Avenue icon passes away from Coronavirus

By Morris Gut It is with great sadness that I report the death of Joseph Migliucci, proprietor/ patriarch of Mario’s Restaurant on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx.

He died of Covid-19 complications at White Plains Hospital last week. He was 81.

Joe Migliucci was a long-time friend and consummate host, the ‘heart & soul’ of Arthur Ave. To many, he was known as ‘Papa Joe’.

Last year, he presid-

ed over the 100th Anniversary of Mario’s, which drew attention from the restaurant community and the media throughout the metropolitan area. Over the years, he hosted patronage from all over the country. He was always ready to greet you with a big handshake and a smile.

Our condolences to his family, his wife Barbara, his sons and daughter Regina. We hope you can carry on Joe’s legacy.

placebo group will receive an equal volume of a solution that resembles remdesivir but contains inactive ingredients.

Montefiore and Einstein’s robust clinical trial infrastructure contributed to its selection and rapid approval for participa-

tion.

No therapies have yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating COVID-19.

Remdesivir, an investigational antiviral therapy, was developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Experimental therapy might help people with serious COVID-19 complications CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

tive,” meaning it can be modified to include other investigational treatments. “This flexibility allows us to add additional therapies to the trial step-by-step to improve treatment as the pandemic continues,” said Dr. Zingman.

Trial participants are hospitalized patients with a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection and lung complications, including rattling sounds when breathing, a need for supplemental oxygen, abnormal chest X-rays showing pneumonia, or the need for a me-

chanical ventilator.

People in the treatment group will receive 200 mg of remdesivir intravenously on the first day of their enrollment in the study and will receive another 100 mg each day for the duration of hospitalization, for up to 10 days total. The

20• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Detoxing patients miss talking to dummy after Coronavirus CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

et,' and I said, yeah, he's a good listener," with a smirk on his face, before the man realized he was the dummy.

Melendez then asks, "You ever see 'Castaway' with Tom Hanks? Remember he had Wilson? Well, I have Steve." He says with a another laugh, before adding, "You

have to enjoy life. I like to make people laugh. I wish I was like Steve Harvey, but I'm not, so I have to get a real job." Funny thing is that now, Even Steve Harvey is home.

In a follow up phone call on March 29, Melendez reported he was still working, bringing his clients for needed

Healthcare driver Lee Melendez sits in his van outside of Part Of The Solution (POTS) on Webster Avenue with his dummy helper "Steve."

treatment, even as the Opioid health crisis, which with a rise in suicides helped fuel America's first decline in decades in it's life expectancy rate, in 2017-- and must now take a backseat to The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) which officials now say could kill between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans.

HAD THE VIRUS KILLED THE DUMMY? Melendez was asked if he's still working with Steve, he replied, "No, I switched

vans because that van broke down," sometime after Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a State of Emergency for New York State on March 7.

Melendez noted that Steve remains in the passenger seat at the mechanics, he added, "He's watching out that van to make sure that nobody does anything bad to the van.”

At least Melendez' boss is now happy, as he confessed, "They've been telling me to take that guy out of the front seat" for a long time.

Out of Work?

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 21

How to navigate unemployment benefits in the Coronavirus Crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) under the CARES Act. Here’s a complete list of who is eligible for PUA. If you are able to continue working your job from home, or are receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits, then you are likely not eligible for PUA. What if I work parttime?

If you’ve lost work and are working less than four days a week, making $504 or less, you are eligible for unemployment benefits in New York.

But partial unemployment benefits are calculated based on the number of days you work, not the number of hours. So, even if you work only two hours each day for four days a week, the state unemployment system considers that working four days, and you would not qualify for unemployment benefits.

Nicole Salk, senior staff attorney at the nonprofit Legal Services NYC, recommends consolidating your hours. “If you have reduced work, try to put it all on one day, because then you maximize your benefits,” she said.

For every day you work, you lose access to 25% of your maximum unemployment benefits. So if you work three days a week, you get 25% of your benefits. If you work two days a week, you get 50% of your benefits, and if you work one day a week, you get 75% of your benefits.

RELATED State Unemployment

Hotline Melting Down From 2,700% Call Increase SO HOW DO I APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT? You can start your claim application by going to the state Department of Labor website and following the step-by-step instructions here.

Most importantly, now, if there are any issues when you file online, a representative from the department is supposed to call you within 72 hours, according to DeRosa.

“They’re going to be reaching out directly to the people so that people don’t have to go through this infuriating process of calling and getting busy signals,” she said on April 9.

Due to the overwhelming number of people filing, the state recommends you apply on a certain day, depending on the first letter of your last name. Monday is for those whose last name begins with A - F; Tuesday, G - N; Wednesday, O - Z; and Thursday, Friday, Saturday is for all last names.

If possible, try to file your claim online first, given the clogged call centers. Labor Department officials also say they have reduced by half the number of reasons someone would need to speak to a representative, with the intention of processing more claims online.

Make sure you write down the email address and password associated with the account you create, and keep it in a safe

place — a simple tip that many forget, Salk noted.

If you are self-employed, but have lost income, you should follow these instructions.

You can use this calculator to estimate your weekly benefits. The current maximum benefit is $504 a week.

What materials do I need?

Before you sit down to complete your online claims application, gather as much information as you can about your employment. Know when your last day of work was, have as much information about your employer on hand as possible — including their employer identification number, if you know it — and have a pay stub nearby. If you want to do direct deposit, you’ll need your bank routing number and account number.

Make sure you have as many of the following materials as possible: * Your Social Security number * Your driver license or Motor Vehicle ID card number (if you have either) *Your complete mailing address and ZIP code *Your phone number *Your Alien Registration card number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen, and have a card) *Names and addresses of all your employers for the last 18 months, includ-

ing those in other states *Employer Registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of your most recent employer (FEIN is on your W-2 tax forms) *Your copies of forms SF8 and SF50, if you were a federal employee *Your most recent separation form (DD 214), for military service And if you’re unable to print web pages, have a pen and paper handy, too.

What if my driver’s license has expired or I don’t have one?

Don’t worry.

“You do not have to have a driver’s license, and you do not have to have an ID,” Salk said.

“You should be able to apply without it.”

What do I need to know about this online form?

Some terms or questions in the claim form may be confusing. One of those terms is “lack of work.”

Any kind of layoff, furlough or even a decrease in the number of opportunities for someone like an Uber driver, all count as a lack of work.

If it’s true for you, “lack of work” is the best and most clear cut option to help you get your benefits in a streamlined way, Salk noted.

Other terms that Salk said confuse people are “availability and capability,” especially in a time like this, when someone

who is stuck at home may not feel able to work.

“You have to be available to work and capable to work to get unemployment [benefits],” she said.

“You may have kids at home, but you can technically still do work at home, so if that’s accurate for you, you should choose that you are ‘available and capable’ of working.”

If you are technically able to do some kind of work from home, you need to select that you are available and capable of working. Otherwise, you will not be able to complete your claim online and receive benefits.

I have to complete my application over the phone.

What do I need to know?

If anything went wrong or presented a complication with your online application, you may need to speak to a representative by phone. This is where many people have been running into challenges.

The state Labor Department’s Telephone Claims Center number is 888209-8124. It is staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

If you are hearing impaired and being assisted by another person, call 888-783-1370. If you use TTY/TDD, call a relay operator first at 800-6621220, and ask the operator to call the Telephone Claims Center at 888-7831370.

The department’s web CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

22• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

Culinary Road

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

By Morris Gut

Home cooking makes comeback during Crisis

Social distancing, stayhome, shelter-in-place, and self-quarantine are the new normal in many areas right now. We have had to change our daily lifestyles in dramatic ways in what seems a very short period of time.

Our eating habits have been affected dramatically. Earlier in March, we were going out to our favorite restaurants and pubs at leisure, mingling with the crowds, and taking in a favorite cocktail and meal.

Suddenly, this all changed.

Restaurants, taverns and bars have been mandated by Gov. Cuomo to only remain open for take-out and delivery service if they choose to, until 8 p.m.

Wine and liquor included, thanks to a temporary reprieve from the New York State Liquor Authority. While you still may be able to get that favorite dish to take home, many eateries have also had to limit their menus, staff and hours to save money, inventory, and waste.

The good news is that people are getting back into their home kitchens again in big numbers, sizing up their cupboards, and firing up the home stove. The coronavirus crisis has moved us to become our own menu movers and shakers.

Essential food markets and shops have been allowed to remain open within designated hours.

Some markets have even instituted special senior shopping times, usually in the early morning, for those of us who are deemed most vulnerable.

Markets include: Stop & Shop, CTown, Key Food, Aldi, DeCicco & Sons, Walmart, Costco, Whole Foods, Stew Leonard’s, Acme, Trader Joe’s, BJ’s Warehouse, Fairway and Shop Rite. (At this writing, some Trader Joe’s markets have temporarily closed for clean-up and restocking.)

In general, it is best to shop during off-peak hours. Some markets maintain in-house delivery service for those who do not wish to venture out. There are also the larger market delivery services like: Peapod, Instacart, and Fresh Direct.

Be prepared for a wait for a slot, as they are backed up due to increased demand. (Things are changing quickly right now, so check ahead during these fluid times.)

Dusting off some of the old cookbooks you have sitting on the shelf is a good idea. A refresher, of sorts. While you may have retained some recipes to memory, you might want to take this opportunity move your

culinary knowledge forward. Perhaps get a little more creative. It helps pass the time during isolation. And, the palatal rewards can be credible.

Inspired by the recent Julia Child Celebration airing on PBS, we took to preparing her famous French Onion Soup.

There are other resources as well in this age of technology. You can stream thru many culinary/cooking websites which offer recipes and cooking tips. Bestselling cookbook authors like Ina Garten, Lidia Bastianich, Martha Stewart, Jacques Pepin, Bobby Flay, Giada DeLaurentis, Pioneer Woman, and Smitten Kitchen, have their own websites filled with tips and videos.

There is live streaming on some of these sites so you can actually see how a dish is prepared.

Food magazines and newspapers have websites devoted to home cooking. One of the best is the New York Times Cooking website. It is behind a paywall, but if you subscribe there is a whole world of culinary inside. The King Arthur Flour website is great for cooking and baking tips.

Chowhound.com maintains a large cooking section. You can weigh in with questions and thoughts on their forums.

You can also bring your questions to Food52. com. There are sites for novice cooks as well as the more advanced.

Cooking shows are also found on the Food Network, PBS, Create TV, The Cooking Channel, and Z Living. Two favorites: The Kitchen on the Food Network, Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street and America’s Test Kitchen on PBS. YouTube offers a great variety of cooking video classes, from homegrown to professional.

Look them up according to subject and cuisine. In fact, with just a little extra research online, you can access cooking tips for almost every cuisine.

Most importantly, maintain good hygiene in the kitchen, while at the market and elsewhere.

When shopping, do your best to practice social distancing. When you get home, be sure to wash up.

Addendum: If you are really into the culinary, it might be fun to use some of your free time to entertain yourself. Watch or re-watch the foodthemed film classics: Big Night, Chocolat, Babette’s Feast, Tampopo, John Favreau’s Chef, Julie & Julia, Sideways, The Hundred Foot Journey, Burnt, and one of my favorites, the animat-

ed Ratatouille. I’ll even throw in Crazy Rich Asians for those dumpling making scenes.

Be Safe!

‘SMALL BUSINESSES ARE A BIG DEAL’ INITIATIVE IN THE BRONX! Bronx Night Market co-founders Marco Shalma of MASC Hospitality Group and Amanda Celestino are paving the way for small businesses throughout the Bronx to survive the Coronavirus Crisis. Small business owners can register with a special website, fill out the form and be vetted and verified, and by offering an incentive to their product or service, be listed on a central map. It is meant to connect small businesses to the buying public during these difficult times., even if the store is shuttered. Patrons can purchase a product or service for future redemption. For more info: www.supportsmallbiz. org (Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx and Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-2356591. Email: gutreactions@optonline.net)

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020• 23

How to navigate unemployment benefits in the Coronavirus Crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

site notes that TCC staff

“cannot help you with issues related to your NY.gov account, such as difficulty logging in, changing your personal information or resetting your password.” For help with your NY.gov account, call 800-833-3000.

Salk said that if your employer doesn’t report employee wages to the state “on the books” or in the traditional way, you’ll need to talk to a representative in order to file.

People who don’t speak English or Spanish also need to file their claim over the phone, since the online application is only in English or Spanish.

What if my claim is partially filed, but I can’t get through the phone lines to complete it?

Anyone who already filed a partial claim does not need to refile and no longer needs to keep calling to finish their application. If this is your situation, a representative should call you within 72 hours, according to De Rosa.

What if I miss my callback?

According to department officials, a representative will call you back again.

I’ve completed my claim, when will I get my check?

Unemployment claims can take two to three weeks to process from the date you applied.

What if I’ve been unemployed for several weeks now, but just got through the system today?

You will receive back pay from the day that you first lost your job if you qualify for either unemployment insurance or pandemic unemployment assistance.

So do I just get the extra $600 a week from the stimulus? I don’t have to do anything extra?

Yes, you just get it. The additional $600 per week will be automatically added to all unemployment benefits, whether you qualify for regular unemployment insurance or the newly expanded pandemic unemployment assistance.

If you’re in the system to receive unemployment benefits of any kind, you will receive the extra $600 from the CARE Act each week until July 31. But you can’t get this extra cash until you’re able to successfully file your claim with the state.

Once I get the benefits, is there anything else I need to do?

Yes. You will need to certify your benefits every single week, or you will lose them.

This means that you need to log into your account and verify that you are still eligible for the benefits each week. You can do so here.

WHAT DO I DO WHILE I’M WAITING FOR MY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

There is relief assistance for individuals and organizations at the city, state and federal level in the form of extended deadlines, moratoriums and assistance.

New York City has compiled a list of general resources for New Yorkers who are unemployed due to COVID-19 or need some help with food, mental health access and more.

Food relief All New Yorkers are entitled to three free meals a day at more than 400 locations across the city. To find a location, visit the city’s free meal program website or text “NYC FOOD” to 877-877.

Check out THE CITY’s food resource guide for more information on accessing food programs, what to do if you’re homebound and need food, or if you want to help

those who need/supply food.

RELATED How to Get Food in New York Right Now — And How to Help Feed Student loan relief The CARES Act includes major student loan relief, including no federal student loan payments, no interest on federal student loan payments, and the suspension of student loan debt collection.

The temporary student loan relief will be active until Sept. 30, 2020. The CARES Act does not include private student loans, nor does it provide any student loan forgiveness.

Mutual aid groups Many people have turned to their fellow New Yorkers for help. “Mutual aid” groups are simply self-organized groups of people who offer services where they can in

avia, for example. They’ve established a COVID-19 Community Support Map pinpointing locations of blood drives, food pickup spots and medical services.

The map quickly became the most popular feature on the paper’s website.

All of this is how local newspapers bring communities together. It’s just one reason they’re so important. While their watchdog role in sustaining our democracy will always be paramount, and one that’s become a crucial part of the ongoing story, this shared commitment to community is shining right now.

Local newspapers care - always have and always

will. It’s what sets them apart from all other media, even Facebook. They will be at the zoning board meeting you care about, at your Fourth of July parade and your high school graduation. They will write about the kindergarten class trip to the pumpkin farm as well as the school budget, food banks for the hungry as well as which takeout joint has the best burgers.

They’ve been around so long it’s easy to take them for granted. But they are in danger, especially now that local businesses that provide crucial advertising revenue have closed.

There’s a lot of news you can access for free.

exchange for something they may need themselves — like food or other supplies. Mutual aid NYC is a network of local groups that helps direct people to the services by providing a map of neighborhood resources and a list of all mutual aid groups across the city.

This Facebook Group dedicated to navigating unemployment in the city has Q&A sessions and a community of folks available to help answer unemployment questions.

And a group of freelance artists has published an aggregated list of resources, opportunities, and financial relief options for artists of all disciplines.

Immediate hiring opportunities Jobs in several key industries are being posted to the NY Hire Now website. You can filter by city, title and company to find openings suited for you. The state Department of Labor is also hiring. Applications for the DOL were extended to 4/24.

This story was originally published on April 9, 2020 by THE CITY.

Communities need their newspapers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

lets. Each paper is telling its community’s unique set of stories about death and heroism and struggle. And for communities in crisis, this personalization is key to grappling with this pandemic.

There are practical benefits as well. In times of crisis, local newspapers have long been a clearinghouse of essential information such as phone numbers, emergency food distribution plans, road closures and boil water orders. Nowadays, with much of this information scattered online, newspapers are adapting and collating. Take The Daily News and Livingston County News in Bat-

Many local newspapers have even temporarily dropped their paywalls on their virus-related content. The gesture reflects their mission to go above and beyond to serve their communities in a time of crisis.

But news really isn’t free. It’s costly to produce.

Reporters, photographers, editors, printers, advertising representatives and support staff deserve and need a paycheck for the work they do.

To do that, newspapers need the people in those Fourth of July parades and at those school board meetings to subscribe.

Now, more than ever, they need their communities.

24• BRONX VOICE• April 15 - 21, 2020

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com